Addiction

Addiction is a disease of the mind where the sufferer is dependant on a behaviour or/and substance. Drugs, alcohol and smoking can be substances that people are addicted to, but many never think that eating disorders come under this word. Those that are binge eaters, bulimics, anorexics, comfort eaters and bigorexics are going through addiction.

It's a controversial topic, one that gets many either angry or crying. Its an issue that I have come close to and one that if given the choice I would never go near again. When the family have to watch the addict go through so much physical and emotional pain and know that there is nothing they can do about it, that is when it gets tough. The sufferer wants to put them-self through that pain usually to punish themselves and to escape a traumatic experience in their past. If you've ever read The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini you'll know what I mean when I say: "Because the past always claws its way out", and it's true - you're past will stay with you forever.

Most people believe that addicts are lazy, good for nothing homeless people that throw away their lives. This could not anger me more. They are not lazy, not all of them are homeless and everyone means something to someone, so they are not good for nothing, Out of the entire population 1/3 is an addict and only 1/18 addicts have access to treatment. You could one day be addicted to something too.

A lot of people say addiction is down to control and they'd be right, partially. When something has gone so wrong in your life that you feel you have lost all control and you have the gene then you are at a high risk of becoming one. Although, one may take the substance or behaviour up to gain control they eventually lose all control; the addiction controls the addict. One person who wishes to remain anonymous said: "It has taken over my life. You never expect it to happen to you and then when it does it just takes you round in this vicious circle that won't ever stop until you beat your addiction and trust me when I say this; it's hard. It's not all good will and positive thinking, it's so much more than that and something which I can't put into words".

It is for all the reasons above that I am cycling 280 miles from Padstow, Cornwall to Putney, London over three and a half days in August. I want to make it easier to access treatment for the addict and help for their family. I am doing it in aid of a charity called 'Action on Addiction'. It researches into everything about addiction, helps families, provides treatment and will train addicts when they have recovered to become addiction counsellors if they wish. Please sponsor me by going to www.justgiving.com/Harriet-Gilbey or text 'GILB50' and then '£ (amount)' to 70070. You will be making such a difference.